News

College campus deploys recycling kiosks

April 20, 2012

Just in time for Earth Day, solar-powered kiosks are replacing several outdoor garbage and recycling cans on the campus of University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., according to phys.org.

The new kiosks consist of separate containers for composting, recycling and garbage and have sensors that measure the mass of material inside and report wirelessly to UW Recycling & Solid Waste staff. When a container reaches capacity, the device sends a text message notifying staff to empty it.

The kiosks also include built-in billboards that will be used for educating the public about the benefits of composting and recycling, as well as how to appropriately sort waste materials into the containers.

The UW will be the first university in the country to use this system in an outdoor public area.

Read more about kiosk design.